Conservation groups appeal logging decision

Published: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 8:02 p.m.

A trio of conservation groups are appealing a local district ranger's decision to log the Courthouse Creek drainage of the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County.

On behalf of WildSouth, the Wilderness Society and the Western North Carolina Alliance, attorneys with the Southern Environmental Law Center filed an administrative appeal Wednesday. The groups say logging below Devil's Courthouse jeopardizes views, streams, soils, cultural resources, recreation and older forest habitats.

On Sept. 25, Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen approved a slightly modified version of the project that involves logging roughly 435 acres over a three- to five-year period, starting as early as 2015. Another 350 acres would be thinned using herbicides and hand tools to favor commercial tree species.

Ibarguen said timbering is needed to increase habitat diversity across the landscape for the benefit of wildlife and to help fund restoration efforts in the watershed. But conservationists said their attempts to shift logging to less-sensitive sites were rebuffed.

“The Courthouse Creek area is a unique and special place,” said Josh Kelly, the WNCA's field biologist. “We have repeatedly suggested other, more suitable locations for logging, but the Forest Service has refused to redraw its plans. Ultimately, we had no choice but to appeal.”

Forest Service staffers will meet with the appellants “to see whether we can reach a resolution,” said USFS Spokesman Stevin Westcott. If not, an appeal review team will review Ibarguen's decision and make a recommendation to Forest Supervisor Kristin Bail within 45 days.

SELC Senior Attorney D.J. Gerken said the concerns that drove conservation groups to appeal have been “expressed many times.” But he said they'll restate their desire to push logging away from steep slopes, Blue Ridge Parkway viewsheds and a state natural heritage area deemed important habitat for species that rely on older forests.

“The Forest Service promised to manage this area as intact, mature forest for black bear,” said Ben Prater, associate executive director of WildSouth. “The Forest Service bills this timber sale as a restoration project. But the pristine habitat in this area doesn't need restoring — it needs to be protected.”

<p>A trio of conservation groups are appealing a local district ranger's decision to log the Courthouse Creek drainage of the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County.</p><p>On behalf of WildSouth, the Wilderness Society and the Western North Carolina Alliance, attorneys with the Southern Environmental Law Center filed an administrative appeal Wednesday. The groups say logging below Devil's Courthouse jeopardizes views, streams, soils, cultural resources, recreation and older forest habitats.</p><p>On Sept. 25, Pisgah District Ranger Derek Ibarguen approved a slightly modified version of the project that involves logging roughly 435 acres over a three- to five-year period, starting as early as 2015. Another 350 acres would be thinned using herbicides and hand tools to favor commercial tree species.</p><p>Ibarguen said timbering is needed to increase habitat diversity across the landscape for the benefit of wildlife and to help fund restoration efforts in the watershed. But conservationists said their attempts to shift logging to less-sensitive sites were rebuffed.</p><p>“The Courthouse Creek area is a unique and special place,” said Josh Kelly, the WNCA's field biologist. “We have repeatedly suggested other, more suitable locations for logging, but the Forest Service has refused to redraw its plans. Ultimately, we had no choice but to appeal.”</p><p>Forest Service staffers will meet with the appellants “to see whether we can reach a resolution,” said USFS Spokesman Stevin Westcott. If not, an appeal review team will review Ibarguen's decision and make a recommendation to Forest Supervisor Kristin Bail within 45 days. </p><p>SELC Senior Attorney D.J. Gerken said the concerns that drove conservation groups to appeal have been “expressed many times.” But he said they'll restate their desire to push logging away from steep slopes, Blue Ridge Parkway viewsheds and a state natural heritage area deemed important habitat for species that rely on older forests.</p><p>“The Forest Service promised to manage this area as intact, mature forest for black bear,” said Ben Prater, associate executive director of WildSouth. “The Forest Service bills this timber sale as a restoration project. But the pristine habitat in this area doesn't need restoring — it needs to be protected.”</p>